H18 with wings or not?

I am a H16 owner for the last 30 years. I was thinking of moving up a notch and buying a used H18 in good condition since I am not interested in spending the money for a new (or used) Tiger or the like. I was wondering if I should be looking for a H18 with wings or without? Anyone with a H18 have any comments on this? Do the wings really help for sitting and/or hiking or do they just get in the way?

Any insight would be helpful.

Thanks, BGS

It really depends on what type of sailing you do. If you plan on racing all the time, you don't need them. I love my wings and would never have a cat without them. I would rather be sitting on them than being on the trapeze, but than again, I do not race. Wings add a new comfort level to the Hobie Cat.

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Jeff Serene
1984 Hobie 18 Magnum
Phoenix, AZ

+1 to what Jeff said.

The wings are a nice back rest.
ditto on the racing aspect.

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Sheet In...Max Out
www.fleet297.org
sailflatlands at gmail dot com

For us, wings are the greatest thing since sliced bread. But then I rarely race, and usually on my buddy's Tiger, not my SX18.

Be warned however, that wings are ONLY for sitting on. Wings are NOT to be used to pull/push/lift the Hobie, as they are designed for compression. The welds will crack and come apart. Don't ask how I know.

Are you interested in Magnum or SX wings?

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2015 H16, with spin,
SOLD 1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947 "In Theory..."
'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'

I usually do not race much so the winged cat may be the design I want to go with, you can hike out on the wings as well correct? Why can't you race a winged H18, no such class? Otherwise could I remove the wings and adjust the trapez and make it raceable if I decided to?

Magnum or SX wings? I didn't know there are two different versions. I believe I have seen the H18 magmum if that was the first wing design that was released. Is there a quick explanation on the differences?

I am like you, 30 years with a H 16 and 2 now with a H18 with SX wings, It does make sailing much more comfortable and yes they can be taken off for racing. I dont race so for me they are great and also you can trap out off of them also. For the difference in the Magnum wings and the SX look at the H 1818sx FAQ near the top of this page, they have a drawing of both types.......Jay

Have a Hobie 18 with Magnum wings and like them. I use the wings when sailing for pleasure (with the family). The added space makes sailing with 4 on the boat much less crowded. When I race I remove the wings and cover the support tabs. There is a class for Hobie 18’s with wings but so few race that I’d rather sail with the rest of the 18. Also, the wings add weight and 18 sailors will debate weather they add or subtract speed but I personally don’t need any more weight on the boat when I race. I do have my crew trapeze off the wings but as skipper I don’t. There is a weight limit on the wings (I believe 400 lbs). I feel the wings do make getting on and off the boat a little more difficult but once your on an sailing they’re great. Do be aware that when flying a hull the lower wings will dig into the wave and can be tricky. The wings also add more stress on the hull so be very cautious when buying and inspect the boat well. Look for the reinforcing plates and extra fiberglass under the front crossbars. IMHO If you can find a H-18 with wings in good condition buy it. But if you need to sail, buy a good condition 18 and look for wings to elsewhere. Good luck.

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John Latimer
'79 Hobie18 - Magnum
Sail#4854

Sailed a Hobie 16 for 7 years. Moved up to a Hobie 18 with no wings. About the only time I was on the boat was to race. After about 8 years I picked up a used set of wings. It really changed the boat for recreational sailing. I love the wings and can't imagine sailing without them anymore. I now remove the wings for racing but most of the time the wings are on. Dryer, more comfortable sailing, less need to trapeeze as the wings move the body weight out similar to the trapeeze. I love my wings.

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1989 Hobie 18 Worlds Boat, Magnum Wings & Spinnaker
1987 Hobie Holder 20 #273

dale.vanlopik"at"att"dot"net

Sailing while sitting on the wings is like trapping out while sitting on a comfortable seat. They are comfortable, allow you to power up more without the traps, work as a backrest when the wind is lighter, a much dryer ride and my wife likes them.

The reason I got a H18 was because of the wings.

I have an 18 with SX wings and love them. Much more comfortable sitting on the wings as compared to the tramp. Much dryer, and adds lots of more room. Trapping from the wings is a blast, you can really get it cranker up double trapped off the wings. As far as racing, for Hobie sanctioned races no magnum class any more, they come off real easily and just race it as a straight 18. I do a fair amount of open class racing and keep the wings on and hold my own. I do not feel the extra weight is not that critical, especially at 15 knots or more. In fact just the opposite, they help me hold the boat down better when trapped off them . As far as digging in when flying a hull, your are flying too high if they are digging. Also you are dumping wind from the main at that high of an angle and that in itself will slow you down.

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ADDICTION
1989 HOBIE 18 SE/sx wings
HOBIE ALTER SIGNATURE MODEL

That's when you know it's time to take them off so you can GET HIGHER!!

If you score a good deal on a good Hobie 18, go for it. Great boat.

If you can do the same, but its got wings, JUMP and go for it.

I don't think you'd find anyone with wings who isn't happy with them.

And if you want to race, 10 minutes and they're off.. no big deal.

SX wings are overall about 2 feet longer and I'd say magnum wings are built a bit more solidly... but you can't go wrong with either.

I finally caved in and bought a set of SX wings...I am an old racer, and I am very comfortable out on the trap, but my wife was getting less and less happy out there with me. I figured that buying the wings would make her feel more secure on the boat in big air and therefore extend my sailing years. I was right!!!
And to echo the other posts, they make the boat a lot more comfortable for other passengers too, due to the fact that the 18 jib sheets cross the front corners of the tramp and make people sittling there duck and weave on every tack. With the wings they can stay in place, because they are outside the jib altogether. And if you are feeling rowdy, you can get a great rush trapping off the wings, which really settles the boat down in heavy air.
Others pretty well covered how easy they are to remove if you ever feel the need to jump in a class race. I have participated in several races where they threw all the 18's, regular and winged together to make a big class and I never thought the winged boats had any advantage at all....I don't know if the skippers racing on the winged boats were just more inexperienced or not but they were always back in the pack. The wings add some weight and windage, that I assume hurt the boats upwind performance, just enough to give the standard boat the advantage. I'd think it would have to be blowing so hard that I couldn't hold my boat down with two out on the trapeze and the jib furled, before the wings would start to give me any advantage, and then I'd have to be trapping off the wings, not your typical race conditions.

Greetings from Puerto Rico! since the wings are removable, try them . for voyages are great' for racing i'm not sure .good luck .